Mission

We are a public foundation created to serve southern communities and organizations seeking social, economic, and environmental justice by providing them with financial resources, opportunities for technical assistance and training, and access to systems of information and power. 

Purpose

Develop and nurture grassroots community-based leaders and organizers. Build the capacity of their organizations. Strengthen rural communities and people. Develop equitable peer relationships, which support real transformation toward a just society.

Our Values

Using a grassroots perspective, we believe that culture is the essence of its people and should be valued, shared and preserved in the process. 

We must build our strength and unity by incorporating standards of integrity, respect, love, diversity, quality and interconnectedness.

Please note over the next four years SPF will focus on three primary issue areas in its grantmaking: Education Reform; Immigration Rights; and Voter Engagement

The Discretionary Fund

Existing grantee partners as well as organizations new to SPF may apply for funding. All applicants should fall within the scope of the SPF mission and guidelines: grassroots community organizing for economic, social and environmental justice, in rural communities in the South.

Discretionary support includes (not limited to) grants for capacity building, community organizing events and/or activities, and voter engagement activities. There are three primary funding areas within discretionary

• General Discretionary: funds in this category will typically be used to support community organizing activities or small projects that fit within SPF guidelines and will lend its self to creating change within SPF funding region.
• Technical Assistance: The funds awarded in this category will support the capacity building needs of your organization or your constituency. These activities could include (but are not limited to) strategic planning, organizational development, trainings for your base and/or constituency and small technology upgrades.
• Travel Assistance: This category includes (but again, not limited to) travel to and participation in conferences and actions of civic engagement.

Discretionary fund resources are limited. Organizations may submit a maximum of two requests per year for a total reward of $3,500 per year.  

Helping Build Stronger Communities

Mission

The Mission Statement of Vulcan Materials Company states that Vulcan “will be a good corporate citizen in each community in which we operate. We will support and take an active part in public and charitable projects.” Vulcan established the Vulcan Materials Company Foundation in 1988 to assist in carrying out that mission. Because contributions made by the Foundation are corporate-based business dollars, it is essential that they be made in a planned and consistent manner that best serves the combined interests of Vulcan and the communities in which we operate.

Vision

Helping Build Stronger Communities

Support Priorities

The Foundation supports many types of worthwhile organizations that enhance the quality of life in Vulcan’s communities. The Vulcan Materials Foundation focuses on three areas in particular:

• Working with schools;
• Supporting environmental stewardship; and
• Encouraging employee involvement.

Education

A major focus of the Foundation is to play a part in maintaining or improving the quality of life and standard of living through the support of education.

Elementary/Secondary Education

The Foundation will consider proposals that provide public education programs and projects that enhance the quality of learning for all students. The Foundation works to support efforts to improve educational systems and individual schools in Vulcan’s communities by partnering with public schools located in its operating areas. Vulcan has adopted 276 schools in its communities through support from the Foundation. It is Vulcan’s goal to increase the number of its school partnerships every year.

The Foundation is also interested in efforts to encourage young people to develop an interest in math, science and business. The Foundation, therefore, gives consideration to proposals designed to help maintain students’ curiosity and excitement about the world of math and science and to explore the world of industry and business. The Foundation is particularly interested in helping young people and their teachers understand the relevance of math and science to society, and supports efforts to link these subjects to their application in the workplace. The Foundation also will consider programs designed to educate our students about the vital role of business and industry in society.

Higher Education

Higher education will play an increasingly critical role in helping the economy effectively compete in the global market. The Foundation recognizes the invaluable contributions made by institutions of higher learning in educating the nation’s future workforce.

The Foundation will consider proposals from those institutions located in states where the Company has facilities, particularly proposals that focus on science and engineering or improving public education. Although proposals for capital improvements will be considered, the Foundation prefers to fund projects that directly affect the outcome of the educational process, such as scholarships and science and technology programs.

Environmental Stewardship

The Foundation supports the philosophy that economic development and environmental stewardship have common goals. Responsible economic growth provides the resources necessary to be a good steward of the environment, while this stewardship helps to sustain growth.

There are important links between industry, the environment and technological innovation. A society that is better informed about environmental issues will be able to participate more effectively in public policy debates. Grantmaking will focus on organizations and programs that seek to develop an understanding of the connection between environmental stewardship and sustainable development. 

The Foundation will consider supporting those environmental organizations that adhere to fact-based, balanced environmental principles.

Employee Involvement

Vulcan has a history of encouraging its employees to participate in volunteer activities in their communities. We recognize that our workforce offers a unique resource to provide leadership in the communities where we operate. Thus, high priority will be given by the Foundation to proposals from those organizations in which company employees are actively involved, especially in our focus areas of education and environmental stewardship.

Geographic Funding Priorities

In addition to the corporate headquarters, located in Birmingham, Alabama, there are eight Construction Materials divisions. Further, Vulcan has 400* active aggregates facilities located in 22 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Mexico and the Bahamas. Regarding proposals submitted to the Foundation, first consideration will be given to those organizations that will benefit the communities where Vulcan employees live and work. The Foundation’s giving program is decentralized to spread ownership of the program to a wider base. Because unit managers are directly involved with the communities where they do business, decentralization enables the Foundation to be more informed about, and to better address, local needs. Proposals submitted to the Foundation should be sent directly to the charitable contributions officer in the appropriate geographical area.

* Updated after the acquisition of U.S. Concrete

The most versatile Alabama Power Foundation tool

As a part of all five of our initiatives – Educational Advancement, Civic and Community Development, Arts and Cultural Enrichment, Health and Human Services and Environmental Stewardship – Alabama Power Foundation Grants are designed to meet a number of different objectives.

Focus Areas

Arts & Culture

• Employing arts to incorporate academic achievement
• Exposing underserved youth to various artistic events and styles
• Grassroots arts programs
• Arts in education

Education

• Programs that improve literacy
• Teach and educational leadership development
• Programs that attract female and minority students to math, science and technology
• Programs that encourage students to finish high school
• Programs that encourage students who show aptitudes for skills to pursue careers in the trades

Environment

• Community gardens
• Aquatic gardens
• Urban forestry programs
• Environmental education
• Recycling/reuse programs
• River/watershed environmental programs

Health & Human Services

• Programs that promote health and well-being
• Programs that promote access to health services
• Direct service programs
• Programs that improve networks services (from parent organizations)
• Programs that combat childhood obesity

Communities

• Playgrounds & Parks
• Community improvement programs
• Youth development programs

Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Alabama is blessed with a wealth and variety of natural resources which provide significant social, economic, and environmental benefits and opportunities for the citizens of Alabama. The mission at ADEM is to assure for all citizens of the State a safe, healthful, and productive environment.

Alabama Recycling Fund Grant

The program is open to local governments and local government nonprofits/authorities seeking to promote local recycling efforts by enhancing established recycling programs or by initiating new recycling programs.

The cities of Albertville and Boaz partnered to establish a joint recycling program and create the Albertville-Boaz Recycling Authority. Meanwhile, Auburn University, the City of Auburn, the City of Opelika, and Lee County partnered to increase regional recycling. Funds have been used to expand drop-off sites and purchase equipment such as recycling containers and balers. In addition, funds have supported public education activities to inform local citizens about the benefits of recycling. 

Examples of what we fund:

• Recycling bins/containers
• Recycling storage/bunkers
• Recycling infrastructure/equipment
• Education & outreach materials

Legacy’s Mission

To be Alabama’s primary source for science-based, environmental information and education, while cultivating a legacy of environmental stewardship for generations to come.

Environmental Education Grant Program

Legacy funds environmental education grants annually through the Environmental Education Grant Program. Funds for this program are allocated specifically to assist with helping to create environmentally responsible citizens through education.

Critieria

Grants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Feasibility & Sustainability – the fulfillment of an environmental education need, how the need will be addressed, and qualifications and experience of personnel; and how the project will be sustained in the future.
• Audience – size and diversity, reach under-served population, partnerships developed, and possibility of replication, if the program is not statewide;
• Scope of Work – goals clearly stated, description of work plan, use of existing materials and information, and consistency with Legacy’s mission;
• Schedule of Project – delineate tasks and timelines;
• Budget – cost-effectiveness, detailed and itemized, and match to include in-kind support;
• Measurement &Evaluation – how effectiveness of the project will be measured;
• Legacy Recognition – the degree of public recognition for Legacy’s granting of funds for the project.

Southern SARE is requesting pre-proposals for either Systems Research Projects or for Education Projects and Activities that address issues of sustainable agriculture of current and potential importance to the region and the nation.

Maximum funding amount for Systems Research Projects is $400,000, and maximum funding amount for Education Projects and Activities is $50,000. Pre-proposals with smaller funding requests are welcomed and encouraged.

Southern SARE accepts proposals from applicants in the Southern region: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Proposed projects must focus on Southern SARE’s program objectives in developing sustainable agriculture systems or moving existing farming systems toward sustainability, as defined by the Congress in the 1990 Farm Bill. Under that law, “the term sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:

• Satisfy human food and fiber needs;
• Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;
• Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
• Sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and
• Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”

Alabama Nonpoint Source (NPS) Section 319 Implementation Grants

Alabama Nonpoint Source (NPS) Implementation Grants fund projects in support of Alabama's Nonpoint Source Management Program. Funding is distributed via a competitive process to projects that will lead to direct reductions in pollutant loads and measurable water quality improvements.

Eligible Projects

Grant proposals should primarily target implementation of nonpoint source components of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) causes and sources in approved TMDLs or Section 303(d)-listed streams.

Alabama Nonpoint Source (NPS) Implementation Grants fund projects in support of Alabama's Nonpoint Source (NPS) Management Program. Funding is distributed via a competitive process to projects that will lead to direct reductions in pollutant loads and measurable water quality improvements. 

A Watershed Management Plan Checklist must also be submitted to ADEM in conjunction with the Section 319 proposal and watershed-based plan. Applicants are strongly encouraged to coordinate their proposal at an early stage with the ADEM NPS Unit in order to assure that the proposal will be compatible with Section 319 guidelines and with ADEM TMDL and watershed plan development and implementation goals.

Alabama Power

We are a POWERFUL SOURCE of GOOD. Formed with donations from Alabama Power shareholders, the Alabama Power Foundation spreads good to Alabama residents through a number of different initiatives.

In fact, that’s our mission – to spread good throughout Alabama to the people who need it most. 

• Educational Advancement
• Civic & Community Development
• Arts & Cultural Enrichment
• Health & Human Services
• Environmental Stewardship

Elevate Grants

Lifting up the state one organization at a time

The Elevate grant program empowers nonprofits – helping them expand their impact and address pressing needs. Our goal is to strengthen these organizations, helping provide tools and resources so they can help elevate the people and communities of Alabama.

Elevate Grants support needs and initiatives that are not addressed through our other grant programs.

Elevate Grant Focus Areas

Educational Advancement – Supporting equitable programs to advance learning for adults, children, families and communities, capacity-building for nonprofits through professional development or certifications that help equip staff with skills to operate programs more efficiently and effectively.

Civic & Community Development – Supporting programs that promote workforce development, criminal justice, economic empowerment, and quality of life.

Arts & Cultural Enrichment – Supporting cultural programs and expressions of creativity.

Health and Human Services – Supporting the well-being of Alabamians by advancing equitable programs in health, medicine and social welfare.

Environmental Stewardship – Supporting conservation, beautification and sustainable practices benefiting Alabama’s biological diversity and the environment.

Why the Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund?

Accelerating and unprecedented climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, posing equal threats to nature and people.

Our forests are a critical support to help adapt to and mitigate climate change. The Appalachian Mountain region, stretching 1,500 miles from Alabama to Canada, includes massive stores of forest carbon, absorbing 1 million tons of air pollution each year. 

This vast region – the world’s largest temperate broadleaf forest – is an essential resilient refuge for plants and animals, particularly as the climate changes. Tens of millions of people call this region home, relying on its forests and waters for their health and well-being. (Read OSI's report that highlights the critical role of land protection in mitigating carbon pollution.)

Yet the Appalachian forest faces significant threats from encroaching development, poor management, and mineral and energy extraction.

To ensure that this region continues to support plants, animals, and people, OSI launched the Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund, an $18 million effort that provides capital grants to protect 50,000 acres in key focus areas along the Appalachian Range. To complement land protection efforts, OSI’s Climate Catalyst Program works in partnership with states, local communities, Tribes, land trusts, and other not-for-profit organizations to reduce climate risks for communities disproportionately affected by flooding and other climate-induced threats.

This Fund builds on the success of OSI's Resilient Landscapes Initiative (2013 - 2020), which advanced the use of Climate Resilience Science in land protection. Climate resilience remains a priority in this new fund, along with a new emphasis on forests’ ability to store atmospheric carbon and on community equity and inclusion.

Capital Grant Focus Areas

The Fund awards capital grants for land protection in portions of:

• the Cradle of Southern Appalachia (Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama),
• the the Kittatinny (New Jersey and Pennsylvania),
• Western/Central Pennsylvania and,
• the Northern Appalachians (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont).

Please note that during the current funding cycle, we are only accepting proposals for projects in the Cradle of Southern Appalachia, Western/Central Pennsylvania, and the Northern Appalachians focus areas.